Littlefield baffled over project fiasco

Published: Wednesday, November 01, 2000

LINDA KANEAvalanche-Journal

LITTLEFIELD - Willie Williams was supportive when the city announced plans to bring a juvenile detention center to town to improve the local economy. He's disappointed, however, that he didn't speak up when he felt things were turning sour.

''We either simply put our head in the sand, we weren't watching well enough or we simply trusted them (the City Council) too much to take care of it,'' he said. ''I love Littlefield. A bunch of us is just guilty that we didn't try to go in and take charge. We could have spoken a little louder, a little quicker at those (City Council) meetings.''

The construction company that built the $11 million Bill Clayton Detention Center, which was funded by revenue bonds, says it's still owed $1.8 million from the project.

An audit performed on the city's books showed no discrepancies in the city's funding of the project.

An official with the management firm hired to oversee construction and operation of the detention center said last week that he's unaware of facts surrounding the payment dispute. The company has been fired by the City of Littlefield.

It's not clear who's responsible for paying the construction company the money it says it's owed. It's also unclear why no documentation exits of a payment and performance bond, which would have protected the city in a circumstance such as this.

City Attorney Nolan Greak has refused to say if a performance or payment bond was issued.

So where does that leave the town's taxpayers? They aren't sure, and city officials aren't telling them much.

Rhonda Corbett, 44, said she would have liked the city to bring in another type of business such as a Wal-Mart or a college instead of the detention center. She said she doesn't understand why the city hasn't launched an investigation into the payment dispute.

''They should definitely be looking into why the construction company wasn't paid,'' she said. ''If it was the city not getting paid they'd be all over who owed them.''

John Aguilar, 67, said he was opposed to the detention center being built in his hometown.

''I thought it was going to be a lot of hassle, and the city had to pay so much for it,'' he said. ''All and all, I don't think it's benefiting Littlefield.''

Aguilar said he's been trying to follow news about the facility, but there isn't much information offered by the city.

''I think it's important for them (City Council members) to give all information to all citizens,'' Aguilar said. ''It concerns all the citizens of Littlefield.''

Currently, about 64 boys reside at the 152-bed facility.

At least one female guard at the facility is being investigated for having sexual relations with a 14-year-old, the TYC has reported. She was placed on unpaid administrative leave.

After firing the management company, Texson Management Group Inc. of Austin, the city took over as manager of the detention center. It has recently had to borrow $100,000 from the local economic development group to cover the payroll.

Ben Long, 34, said he's heard all kinds of rumors about the detention center, and he would like the city's officials to be more forthcoming about accurate information.

''Most of the people around here, if they're City Council members, nobody's going to talk,'' he said.